Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are the most common subtypes of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL).

●MF is a mature T cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma with presentation in the skin but with potential involvement of the nodes, blood, and viscera. Skin lesions include patches or plaques that may be localized or widespread, tumors, and erythroderma.

●SS is a distinctive erythrodermic CTCL with a leukemic involvement of malignant T cells clonally matching that in the skin.

TNMB criteria — The standard staging classification system for mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) is the TNMB system, which is based upon an evaluation of the skin (T), lymph nodes (N), visceral involvement (M), and blood (B) (table 1A-B) [1]. The standard staging evaluation includes a careful examination of the skin (especially the scalp, palms, soles, and perineum) with skin biopsy, a complete blood count with Sézary cell analysis, screening chemistries including lactate dehydrogenase, and a chest x-ray (table 2). Lymph node biopsies, not fine needle aspirations, are obtained if lymphadenopathy is present, since lymph node involvement affects both the stage and prognosis.

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